Embroidery-silk holder.



PATENTED JULY 26. 1904-.

I. L. THOMAS. EMBROIDERY SILK HOLDER,

APPLICATION FILED MAR. '22, 1901.

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Patented July 26, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

IMOGEN L. THOMAS, OF TROY, NE'W YORK.

EMBROIDERY-SILK HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 765,720, dated July 26, 1904:. Application filed March 22, 1901. Serial No. 52,397. (No model.)

To ca /Ll whmn it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, IMOGEN L. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Troy, county of Rensselaer, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Embroidery-Silk Holders, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to such improvements; and it consists of the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and subsequently claimed.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings and the reference characters marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

Similar characters refer to similar parts in the several figures therein.

Figure l of the drawings is a view in perspective of a skein of silk applied to an envelop-sheet in the operation of forming my improved thread-package. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the longitudinal edges of such sheet folded over one upon another to inclose the thread and complete the envelop therefor. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the envelop and contents folded transversely, with the ends of the envelop detachably secured together. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the portfolio in an open position. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section of the same, taken on the broken line 5 5 in Fig. 4.

The principal objects of my invention are to protect silk and other threads, more particularly those adapted for artwork, to facilitate the display of an assortment of threads for the purposes of selection for sale or use and to permit the threads to be withdrawn one at a time from their package freely and without entanglement.

The invention comprises in part a novel construction of thread-package particularly adapted for embroidery-silks and the like.

in constructing my novel thread-package I employa strip or sheet of flexible material, such as paper, about three times the width of the desired package and preferably of a length about half that of a double-length needleful of thread. I have shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings such a sheet 1,provided at one end with an extension 2 of its middle portion, the same being provided with a hook 3, which may be secured thereto or formed thereon in any known manner.

Embroidery-silk is commonly supplied to the trade in the form of skeins of such dimensions that if all the threads are cut at a single point in the skein the silk will be divided up into separate threads each of a length adapted for use as a double-length needleful, while if the skein is cut at two diametrically opposite points it will be divided into threads each adapted for use as a single-length needleful.

My novel thread-package is adapted for either the uncut skein or for the skein cut at either one or two points, as above described. For use with a needle, however, the skein is usually cut into single or double lengths, preferably the latter.

I have shown in Fig. 1 a skein 4 so cut into double lengths, the threads being left doubled and arranged longitudinally along the middle portion of the sheet 1, with the cut ends of the threads adjacent to the hook end of the sheet and the loops of the threads projecting a short distance from the other end of the sheet. The longitudinal edge portions 5 are then folded over upon the middle portion of the sheet and upon one another to inclose the thread and form an envelop therefor having an open end through whichthe loops of the doubled threads project, as shown in Fig. 2. The envelop thus formed, with its contents, is folded transversely of its length, and the open end of the envelop is inserted within the hook 3, as shown in Fig. 3, said hook being projected through the looped portions of the thread. The package thus constructed covers and affords protection for the body of thread, leaving exposed only the looped portions, which serve as a means for determining the contents of the package as well as a means for withdrawing the contents thread by thread from the envelop.

To withdraw the contents from the envelop, it is not necessary to open the same, but merely to grasp the loop of one thread with one hand and introduce a finger of the other hand or any other suitable instrument through the transverse fold 6 of the envelop, whereupon the thread can be withdrawn from the package without entanglement and without undue friction, leaving the remainder of the contents of the package undisturbed.

The tag 7 with which skeins of silk are usually provided and which'bears the marks indicating color, quality, 850., of the silk, may be allowed to remain upon the looped portion of the threads, whereby such marks of identification will be retained in connection with the thread-package so long as any thread remains therein.

My improved package affords a convenient and satisfactory means both for supplying thread to the trade and for maintaining the.

thread accessible for use.

A further feature of my invention comprises means for supporting a plurality of such thread-packages side by side in position for quick inspection and comparison. I have shown such means in the form of a portfolio comprising the plates 8 and 9, adapted to fold one upon another along the dotted line 10. One (or both) of said plates is provided on its inner side with a transverse strap 11 near its lower end and with a similar strap 12 near its upper end. The lower strap 11 is adapted to receive the folded portion 6 of the enveloppackage, which embraces said strap and is supported thereby. The hook-connected ends of the envelop-package are both inserted between the plate 8 and the upper strap 12, the hooks 3 being hooked over said upper strap, as shown, whereby the ends of the several packages are detachably connected to said supporting-plate. The upper edge of the strap 12 may be provided with notches 13, adapted to receive the several hooks 3 and prevent the sliding movements of the several packages along the strap. The supporting-plate 8 may be of a size adapted to support any desired number of thread-packages, which are thereby retained side by side, each with a portion of its thread and its identification-tag exposed to View in a convenient position for the selection of a package of any desired color, shade, or quality or for the selection and removal of a single thread from any desired package.

The several packages can be easily removed from the supporting-holder by unhooking the hook 3 from the strap 12 and drawing the hooked. ends of the package downwardly out from beneath said strap and then separating said ends and slipping the package off from the strap 11.

In removing the thread from one of the packages while contained in the portfolio or holder it is only necessary to pull upon the desired thread, which will-thereupon be withdrawn from the package, the strap 11 serving as a resisting-support for the folded portion 6 of the package.

The plate 8 may be provided at its upper end with a flap 14, adapted to fold over along the line 15 upon the strap 12 and the exposed portions of the thread in the several packages, thereby inclosing and protecting such thread. The other plate, 9, of the portfolio may be provided on its outer edges with the flaps 16, adapted to befolded inwardly along the dotted lines 17 forming a convenient inclosure for embroidery-work, patterns, &c. The plate 9 may be omitted, if desired. This portfolio may be made of cardboard, press-board, or other comparatively stiff material.

By folding the envelop upon itself the inner envelop-wall at the fold forms a \I-shaped abutment, over which the threads can be easily drawn, while the outer wall of the folded portion is continuous and forms an inclosure for the thread at the folded end of the package. I am thus able to adapt the envelop to support and cover the folded portions of the thread. without especially cutting or treating the envelop to provide means for this purpose. Furthermore, my improved package can be prepared and practically used without the use of glue or other permanent connecting means, permitting the package to be opened and the supply of thread. renewed as often as desired.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a plurality of thread-packages, each comprising an elongated envelop open at one end and threads arranged longitudinally within said envelop and projecting from its open end, said envelop and contents being folded transversely of their length; of a supporting-plate having a strap adapted to rest in the transverse fold of the several packages, and'means for securing the. ends of the respective envelops to said supporting-plate, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a plurality of thread packages, each comprising an elongated envelop open at one end and threads arranged longitudinally within said envelop and projecting from its open end, said envelop and contents being folded transversely of their length; of a supporting-plate having a strap adapted to rest in the transverse fold of the several packages, and means for securing the ends of the respective envelops to said supporting-plate, and a cover for said sup porting-plate and packages, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a plurality of thread-packages, each comprising an elongated envelop open atone end and threads arranged longitudinally within said envelop and projecting from its open end, said envelop and contents being folded transversely of their length; of a supporting-plate having a strap adapted to rest in the transverse fold of the several packages, and means for securing the ends of the respective envelops to said. supporting-plate, and a flap hinged to said plate adjacent to, and adapted to fold over upon, the ends of the supported packages, substantially as described.

IO plate having a strap provided with notches adapted to receive the respective hooks on the.

several packages inserted between said plate and strap; and means for supporting the transversely-folded portion of the several packages, substantially as described.

IMOGEN L. THOMAS.

Witnesses:

G120. R. DONNAN, MARSHALL LANSING. 

